"Man this place is crowded," Caroline commented as she and Stefan entered the bar.
"And full of our kind," Stefan noted. New Orleans was crawling with vampires and witches.
Caroline shrugged. "At least we don't have to hide ourselves." She walked to the bar to sit on the stool and Stefan followed.
"Hey, what can I get you two?" a blonde lady asked Caroline and Stefan.
"Two bourbons, on the rocks," Caroline answered.
The blonde prepared their drink in front of them. "You two passing through?"
Caroline shook her head. "No. We just moved here."
"Here? To New Orleans? That may not have been a great choice, considering the people that live here," the blonde commented.
Stefan and Caroline chuckled. "Don't worry. We can take care of ourselves," Stefan reassured her.
"Ahh, you two are one of them," the lady replied and Stefan and Caroline nodded. "Well, here are your drinks." She pushed the glasses toward them over the counter.
"So you're –" Stefan started.
"Human," the blonde finished. "My name's Camille, but call me Cami." She held her hand out for Stefan and Caroline to shake it.
"Nice to meet you, Cami. I'm Stefan. And my friend here," he said as he put his arm around his best friend, "is Caroline."
Caroline smiled politely at her. "So what are you doing here, especially since you're aware of the creatures that live here?" Caroline asked curiously.
Camille chuckled. "I went to school here for my bachelor's in psychology and continued on to my master's. Right now I'm working on my PhD and working as a part-time psychiatrist. I started working here when I was still getting my bachelor's and my boss, Chuck, didn't want me to leave, so I work on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights."
"You aren't afraid of what people may do to you?" Stefan asked her.
Camille shook her head and laughed. "I have a black belt in karate, so I can take them down… to an extent. But the guy who runs this quarter is my boyfriend."
Caroline and Stefan furrowed their eyebrows. "Runs this quarter?" they both asked in unison.
"Klaus. His whole family runs this town. Take it from me: you do not want to mess with them. Well, it was nice meeting you two, but I'm clocking out early. Gotta work on my dissertation." Camille left Caroline and Stefan with her words.
"Klaus runs this town?" Stefan asked himself.
Since Klaus and his family left Mystic Falls, he hasn't kept in touch and had no idea what they were up to, but now he does.
"Wait a second. Klaus? The creep?!" Caroline asked.
Stefan nodded. "Apparently."
Caroline rolled her eyes. "No wonder he acts like a badass around here." She picked up her drink and tanked it down. "I forgot to tell you… He had the nerve to ask me out on a date for a painting!" Caroline exclaimed, disgust full in her tone.
Stefan laughed. He knew Klaus had an interest in Caroline and it was amusing to see Klaus let his walls down when it came to her. "What did you say?"
"You're kidding right?! I told him to keep the painting! The creep has a girlfriend and he asked me on a date!"
Stefan chuckled. "Well it was just a dinner, not like a date."
Caroline scoffed. "If a guy and a girl are out having dinner, then it's a date!"
"Not really. You and I have been out to dinner as best friends," Stefan pointed out.
Caroline glared at her best friend before she shoved his shoulder. "Shut up!" she said, in an annoyed voice.
"Yippee, girl's night out," Katherine said with false enthusiasm, as she, Rebekah, and Haley entered the bar.
"Hey, I need a break from mommy world for tonight," Haley said.
"Oh, this is rich. Look who's here," Rebekah told Katherine and Haley.
All three girls looked to the bar and saw Caroline and Stefan laughing it up.
"Let's have some fun," Katherine said, as she took the lead to walk toward them.
"Well, well, well. My old lover and the small town girl I turned for fun," Katherine spoke from behind the two best friends.
Stefan and Caroline turned on their stool to find Katherine smirking at them, with her hands resting on her hips.
"Katherine," Stefan said. "What are you doing here?"
"I live in New Orleans, with Elijah," she answered. "I see you're no longer with pathetic Elena. Good. You and sweet Care Bear here are a better match."
Caroline glared at Katherine. She still hated her for turning her – not that she hated being a vampire; it was more about the reason Katherine did it.
"What do you want Katherine?" Caroline asked in a bitter tone.
"Hello, Stefan." Rebekah greeted, as she and Haley joined them.
Caroline rolled her eyes. "Why am I not surprised – Haley and Katherine. The vampire bitch who killed me and the werewolf bitch who snapped my neck and tried to steal Tyler from me."
"Am I invisible or something?" Rebekah asked, since she didn't get insulted by Caroline.
"She doesn't know you, remember?" Haley whispered to Rebekah. She turned to Caroline. "I didn't steal Tyler from you. Speaking of Tyler… what did you do to him?"
"We broke up. So you can have my sloppy seconds," Caroline retorted. She sneered at Haley, observing how she's aged. One of the beauties of being a vampire was that she couldn't age, but Haley surely looked 10 years older. She didn't have any visible wrinkles, but she looked older, for sure.
Haley was about to grab ahold of Caroline's neck, but Rebekah held her back. "Nik will kill you if you touch a hair on her head," she whispered.
"Look, why don't you ladies just carry on with your night and leave us alone," Stefan suggested, trying to bring the peace.
"Let's leave these two love birds, before Klaus says something," Katherine said, before turning on her heel.
As soon as Katherine, Rebekah, and Haley walked away, Caroline stuck her tongue out at them.
"Ugh! Seriously, though. Katherine and Haley?!" Caroline complained, while ringing up another drink from the male bartender.
"Relax. They won't bother us and we won't bother them, right?" Stefan asked, just for reassurance.
"Who was the blonde chick with them?" Caroline asked, curiously.
"That's Klaus' sister, and Katherine is apparently dating Klaus' brother, Elijah." Stefan explained.
"So I take it we'll be running into Klaus a lot while we're here," Caroline noted.
Stefan took a sip of his drink. "I imagine he'll make sure to be on your radar while we're here."
"Niklaus, make sure you have no plans tomorrow night," Elijah told his brother as he entered the living room.
"What is tomorrow night, brother?" Klaus asked.
"The music festival. We must make an appearance for our donation to the city," Elijah informed him. "The whole family must be there. They're expecting all the Mikaelson's on stage when we give the check."
"Even me?" Axel spoke up as he and Kol joined them.
"Even you, Axel," Elijah answered.
Axel ran to his dad. "Dad, guess what?"
"What's up, champ?" Klaus asked his son.
"Uncle Kol pitched a ball to me and I hit it so hard it went past the baseball field cage!" Axel exclaimed with excitement.
"That's my boy," Klaus said, proud of his son.
"Where's mom? I want to go tell her," Axel asked.
"She's out for tonight. You can tell her when she gets home," Klaus told him.
"What about Cami?" Axel asked.
"She's working on a paper for school," Klaus asked.
Axel frowned. "Aunt Bekah and Aunt Katie?"
"Sorry, bud. They're with your mother. Just go and get cleaned up and we can watch one of the movies your mother said you couldn't watch," Klaus offered.
Axel ran off, with a grin.
"So do you think Caroline's dead yet?" Kol joked, as he hopped onto the couch.
Klaus immediately ran to Kol to choke him. "What did you do?"
Kol held up his hands. "I didn't do anything," he tried to say, though it was hard with Klaus' hand clenching his throat.
Klaus released his grip. "Explain," he demanded.
"Bekah texted me earlier saying Caroline was at the bar with Stefan. I just figured our dear sister, Elijah's wife, and the mother of your son would all team up to kill Caroline. They have reason. Not to mention if Cam was there, too," Kol explained.
Violently, Klaus dialed his sister. "If you, Katarina, or Haley does anything to Caroline I swear I will rip out all of your hearts!" He growled over the phone.
"Relax, Nik. No one touched a hair on precious little Caroline," Rebekah replied. "Besides, she has her boyfriend to protect her."
"What boyfriend?"
Rebekah chuckled over the phone. "Stefan. He and Caroline look awfully cozy together."
"They're not dating Bekah!"
"Sure. And I'm not a natural blonde," she replied, sarcastically.
Klaus rolled his eyes and hung up the phone.
"Niklaus, what happen to leaving Caroline alone?" Elijah asked.
"Yeah, Nik. Camille will be heart broken when she learns of your affair," Kol chimed in.
Not wanting to deal with his brother's two sense, Klaus left the room.
"Oh my goodness!" Caroline exclaimed as she read the flier of the musical festival tonight. She immediately pulled out her phone and phoned her best friend.
"Drop whatever you're doing tonight. We're going to the music festival!" Caroline told Stefan, without a greeting.
"Why, hello Caroline. I'm good, and yourself?" Stefan said, sarcastically.
"Shut up and you better come with me tonight."
"Where is it?"
"The flier says it's on Bourbon Street. Be there, or else!" Caroline hung up the phone and stuffed it into her purse.
She started walking backward and bumped into something or someone.
"Sorry. I wasn't lookin –" Caroline started to say, until she saw who she bumped into. "You, again! What are you stalking me?"
"I was just passing through the streets. You ran into me, love," Klaus pointed out, trying to stifle his laugh.
Caroline scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Whatever." She started to walk pass him, but of course he followed her.
"So, have you reconsidered having dinner with me?" Klaus asked her.
"You're joking right? I met your bartender girlfriend. She's cute. Don't know why she's wasting her time on you."
Caroline meant for that to be an insult, but Klaus just laughed. "She's lovely, but I don't see why she has anything to do with you and I."
Caroline stopped in her tracks and turned to face him. "I am not going to go on a date with someone who has a girlfriend!"
Klaus chuckled to himself, which only frustrated Caroline.
"What are you laughing at?!" Caroline demanded.
"I'm flattered, sweetheart, but I was asking you to dinner, not a date," Klaus pointed out.
Immediately Caroline's cheeks warmed, embarrassed. Stefan told her it wasn't a date, but she didn't listen.
"Listen, love. Think about that dinner. You'll get the painting, a free dinner, and my company," Klaus told her.
Caroline scoffed, loudly. "I'd rather chew my arm off." She walked away from him, not wanting to hear any more.
"I'll see you around, Caroline."
Klaus watched her walk away from him. He always had a view of her walking away, but he knew one day she would be walking toward him, it was just a matter of time.
"It's official!" Caroline exclaimed. "I love New Orleans!"
Stefan walked next to her going through the streets and listening to the music.
"It seems a bit too much, sometimes," Stefan told her.
"Stop brooding, Brody!" Caroline chided.
They walked down the street and ate delicious food from food stands set up on the street. They consumed tons of alcohol and danced to the rhythm of the music. Stefan even found himself swaying to the music for a few of the songs – after he had the proper amount of alcohol in his system.
"Where's the music?" Caroline asked, when the band stopped playing.
"Look who's here," Stefan said, pointing at the stage at the end of the street.
Caroline scoffed when she saw Klaus standing on stage with a group of people. Apparently, the Mikaelson's were donating a $50,000 check to the New Orleans music foundation to fund for the performing arts program in the quarter.
Caroline wondered who the people around Klaus were. She knew Haley and Katherine, and the blonde girl was Klaus' sister that she saw at the bar. She had never seen the two men and little boy before. Both of the men had brunet hair, different from Klaus and his sister. One of them looked the oldest with a stern expression and dressed in an exquisite suit. The other looked younger than Klaus. He sort of had a cute face with silly grin plastered. Compared to the older guy and Klaus, he seemed a lot more relaxed of his clothing, wearing some long tan shorts with a graphic tshirt. Klaus wasn't as dressed as the other two men. Instead he was dressed in another Henley and pants. Caroline assumed this man loved Henley's.
Then it dawned on Caroline. Why was Haley with Klaus' family? It made no sense. From Caroline's understanding, Haley skipped Mystic Falls to find her family. Was the Mikaelson's her family? That didn't make any sense, since she was of werewolf lineage and the Mikaelson's were vampires. She shook her head to rid herself of her thoughts. They were too heavy to ponder at a music festival.
"I guess I'll never be able to avoid him," Caroline told her best friend, when she turned her back on the stage to walk away.
"This is his quarter," Stefan reminded her.
The music resumed and this time the band played upbeat jazz songs – the kinds flappers would swing to.
"Oh. My. Gosh. We have to dance," Caroline said, tugging on Stefan's arms.
"Care, you know I hate dancing," Stefan replied, trying to resist.
"I was never around to dance like those flappers did and I always wanted to!" Caroline whined.
Stefan sighed. "Fine, but you have to be ready," he warned.
"Please, I'm so read –"
Before Caroline could finish her sentence Stefan pulled her into his arms, grabbed her waist and swung her on either of his sides, before dipping her. He'd mastered the art of swing, back in the 1920's. It took Caroline by surprise but she couldn't help but laugh. Stefan let her down on her feet.
"See! If you let yourself go, you'll have fun!" Caroline shouted, while still laughing.
Stefan joined her. Her laugh was contagious. Caroline had the ability to bring out his fun side. She reminded him that despite everything they'd gone through, they could still laugh and have fun and enjoy their life.
"Look at them," Rebekah said, pointing at Stefan and Caroline. "How are they not dating? They act like lovers."
"Shut it, Bekah," Klaus said through gritted teeth.
"Calm down, Niklaus. Let's not make a scene," Elijah told his brother, while putting a hand on his shoulder.
"Yes, dear brother. Why not have a dance with Camille?" Kol asked, grinning his goofy grin.
"She's working on her dissertation paper," Klaus answered. "She said she'll try to make it."
Since Camille started pursuing her PhD, she's been spending less time with Klaus. Klaus understood that she was busy with school and two jobs, but he still wished she'd spend more time with him.
The band changed their songs from upbeat jazz, to smooth jazz. The rhythm was slow like a ballad. These were the type of the songs couples danced to.
Stefan held Caroline's right hand in his left hand, while his other hand rested below her shoulder blade. Caroline's left arm went around Stefan's neck, as they slow danced to the rhythm.
"Stefan," Caroline started.
"Yeah?"
"Do you think you and I will ever find another love since our first loves didn't work out?" Caroline asked.
Elena broke Stefan's heart after she chose to Stefan. Not long after, she realized she made a mistake, but Stefan decided not to take her back. It just hurt too much for him to be with her. Their epic love was tainted and broken, and it would never be able to be prepared.
Tyler refused to follow Caroline to college. Instead, he stayed in Mystic Falls to take over the mayor position. His busy schedule wasn't able to make their long distance relationship work. Caroline would try calling him and leave him voicemails, but he would never respond. Finally, she realized that she couldn't be with someone who couldn't put effort into their relationship.
"Yes. Eventually. That's the beauty of eternity. We can have multiple loves," Stefan told her, remembering what Lexi told him a while ago.
Caroline sighed. "I hope. Otherwise I'd have to spend an eternity with Mr. Brody!" she teased, trying to lighten up the mood.
"Ouch!" Stefan retorted, which made Caroline laugh.
"May I cut in?" Klaus asked, interrupting them.
Caroline stopped dancing and turned to Klaus. "Seriously?! You're like McDonald's – You're everywhere!"
Klaus chuckled at her insult. "Sorry, love, but I just want a dance." He extended his hand out to her.
"I need a drink," Stefan said, as he walked away.
Caroline glared at her best friend for leaving her alone. She returned her eyes to the creep and he smirked at her. She rolled her eyes and decided to place her hand in his. She knew he wasn't going to quit, so why not give him a little dance. He pulled her onto the middle of the street and drew her close to him. They were surround by a hurdle of other couples dancing around them.
It's been ten years since they shared a dance together. The way her soft hands fit in his seemed like they were made to hold each other. A wave of lavender vanilla filled the air as they closed the space between them. His heart warmed with her being close. Caroline didn't know why she felt tingles in her tummy.
"You look stunning," Klaus complimented.
Caroline rolled her eyes, but sighed softly. Even though this guy was a creep, she liked the way he talked to her. "Where's your blonde bartender girlfriend?"
"She's working on her dissertation," Klaus answered. "How are you liking New Orleans so far?"
"I…" Caroline paused, not sure if she wanted Klaus to know that she liked it here. She didn't want to give him any ideas, but then again, she didn't see a reason to lie to him. "I love it here."
Klaus smiled to himself. He knew she would. He wanted to bring her here, but on her own terms and will.
"Have you reconsidered our dinner?"
"You're not gonna quit, are you?" Caroline replied.
Klaus grabbed her hand and placed it over her head for her to spin, before pulling her back into his arms.
"I'll tell you what, sweetheart. I will be sitting at the private dinning area in Broussard's Restaurant tomorrow night at 7 PM. Join me if you please. If at the end of the night, you realize you've had the worst night of your life, then I'll bid you adieu and won't bother you. But… but if you catch yourself smiling or laughing throughout the night, then promise me another dinner," Klaus wagered.
Caroline smirked at him. "You're on."
Caroline believed she wouldn't enjoy herself with him. She'd get the painting and a free dinner, with a bonus of never being bothered by this creep again.
"Hello, Stefan," Rebekah greeted him at a beer stand on Bourbon Street.
"Rebekah," Stefan replied. "How are you tonight?"
"Well. And yourself?"
"Good," Stefan answered. He kept his eyes fixed on Caroline and Klaus dancing.
"He's not going to hurt her, Stefan," Rebekah reassured him. "I've seen the way Nik looks at Caroline, and trust me when I tell you… he's never looked at a girl that way, ever. In all the years we've been together, not even Tatia."
Stefan looked to Rebekah. "I just don't want Caroline to get hurt. She doesn't deserve that. She deserves to be happy."
Stefan has seen the fall out of Caroline's relationship with Tyler. She was crushed, and tried to put on her best smile so no one would worry about her, but Stefan saw through it.
"You really care about her, don't you?" Rebekah questioned.
Stefan nodded. "She's been there for me, through my ups and downs. She keeps me from jumping off the edge. She's my best friend and I owe her my life."
Rebekah watched Stefan curiously. She felt a sting of jealousy for not having that kind of relationship with anyone. She had that with Klaus, long ago before she was daggered in the 20's. Since they moved to New Orleans, they've slowly been repairing their relationship.
Stefan felt her eyes on him. He turned to her and held out a hand.
"Would you like to dance with me?" Stefan asked, smiling genuinely at her.
Rebekah returned a delightful smile. "I'd be honored."
"How's my favorite nephew?" Kol asked, when he joined Haley and Axel at the cotton candy stand.
"Tonight's been awesome. Mother bought me some new baseballs," Axel answered.
"They were on sale," Haley informed Kol.
Axel tugged on Haley's shirt. "Hey mom, who is father dancing with?" he questioned, as he pointed at Klaus.
Haley and Kol looked in the direction Axel was pointing.
Kol laughed. "That's your father's lover."
Axel scrunched his face, confused. "That's not Camille."
Haley hit Kol in the stomach. She didn't want her son to think Klaus' behavior was ok. He was already being raised in a dysfunctional, nontraditional family.
"She's just a friend of your father's," Haley answered.
Axel shrugged. "Can I go play with my friends?"
"Sure. Just be careful," Haley told him.
Haley and Kol watched Axel run off to play with his friends.
"Don't talk about Caroline to Axel," Haley instructed Kol.
"Why? Are you jealous?" Kol asked, chuckling to himself.
"Please. I despise the both of them, but I don't want Axel to learn about Caroline and whatever things Klaus is doing with her behind Camille's back," Haley explained.
Despite the evident angst between Klaus and Haley, they were still able to be civil to each other for their son's sake. Neither of them have feelings for each other. They just had a one night stand and that's it. They never objected to the other's love life choices, hence the reason Haley doesn't hate Camille. However, with Caroline it was different. Haley hated Caroline because she couldn't have Tyler.
"Be nice Haley," Elijah chided, walking up to them with Katherine at his side. "Niklaus knows better than to jeopardize our family and his relationship with Camille."
"I don't know, hun. Klaus seems rather smitten with Care Bear," Katherine noted.
"Let's just hope, for our family's sake, that Niklaus doesn't do anything foolish," Elijah said, as the four of them watched Klaus and Caroline dance.
Klaus arrived back at the Mikaelson mansion, with a broad grin on his face. After tucking Axel into bed, he walked back to his bedroom with a little skip in his walk. When he opened his bedroom, he was surprised to find his girlfriend lying in his bed with only the lamp next to his bed illuminating the room.
"Hello, sweetheart. What are you doing here?" Klaus greeted her, as he walked over to her and gave her a kiss.
"When I looked at the clock, I figured you'd be on your way home, so I waited for you. I missed you," she explained.
Klaus unbuckled his belt and removed his pant. He removed his Henley shirt and joined her in bed with just his boxers. She settled in his arms and rested her head on his chest.
"How was the festival?" she asked.
"It was… enjoyable," Klaus answered. He smiled to himself, as he recalled dancing with Caroline. "How was working on your dissertation?"
"Long," she answered. "I can't wait to get it done with. Then I can start my own practice." She started playing with his fingers. "Hey, how about we go out tomorrow night?"
"Sorry, love. I have dinner plans. Maybe another night?"
Camille sighed. "Alright," she replied, with a yawn.
"Let's get some rest," Klaus said, as he reached over to turn off the bedside lamp. Before he closed his eyes, he placed a kiss on the top of her head.
Will Caroline enjoy her dinner with Klaus?
How will everyone react to their dinner?
Will Camille find out?
Stay tuned to find out!
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